The D’Vine Singers began life in 2014 as part of a research study into ‘singing and mental wellbeing’ by the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health at Canterbury Christ Church University.  The research was funded by the NHS in conjunction with Kent County Council’s Wellbeing campaign.  During the study, participants were asked to evaluate their mental wellbeing according to questions based on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, a recognised questionnaire that is used as a measure of mental health in the UK. 

Once the research came to a close, with highly positive results, the singers were keen to continue with the weekly singing and a committee of volunteers was set up to run The D’Vine Singers as an independent community group.  Although the sessions are open to everyone, we feel it is important to maintain the focus on mental health, so occasionally we ask members to think about whether the group singing has made a difference to their lives.  To date the responses have all been positive, particularly in lifting mood and reducing social isolation.